Query Letter FAQs (Part II): 10 More Questions Answered

GIVEAWAY: I am very excited to again give away a copy of my newest book, CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM. It’s a book all about how to build your visibility, brand, network and discoverability so you can better market yourself and your books. I’m giving away 1 copy to a random commenter based in the U.S. or Canada; comment within one week to win. Good luck! (Update: CJ Keats won.)

Writers always seem to come up with great questions on how to write a query letter. In fact, I already did a roundup of query letter frequently asked questions here on Writer Unboxed. (See Roundup Part I here, and learn about tricky topics such as resubmitting to an agent, how to start your query, simultaneous submissions, and more.) But even though I already addressed those 9 FAQs, there are still plenty of murky waters out there in the realm of query submissions, so I decided to come back for a sequel post and share 10 more complicated questions. I hope one or several answers will help you on your journey.

1. If you’re writing a series, does an agent want you to say that in the query?

The old mentality for this was no, you should not discuss a series in the query, and instead just pitch one book and let any discussion naturally progress to the topic of more books, if the agent so inquires. However, I’ve overheard more and more literary agents say that they did want to know if your book was the potential start of the series. So, the correct answer, it appears, depends on who you ask. In circumstances like these, I recommend crafting an answer to cover all bases: “This book could either be a standalone project or the start of a series.” When worded like this, you disclose the series potential, but don’t make it sound like you’re saying “I want a 5-book deal or NOTHING.” You’ll sound like an easy-to-work-with writing professional, and leave all options open.

2. Should you mention that you’ve self-published books in the past?

In my opinion, you don’t have to. So if you indie-published a few e-books that went nowhere, you don’t have to list every one and their disappointing sales numbers. The release of those books should not affect your new novel that you’re submitting to agents. That said, if your self-published projects experienced healthy sales (5,000+ print books, 20,000+ e-books), then sure, mention it. In other words, talk about your indie-pub projects if they will help your case. Otherwise, just leave them out of the conversation and focus on the new project at hand.

3. What happens when you’re writing a book that doesn’t easily fall into one specific genre? How do you handle that problem in a query letter?

Know that you have to bite the bullet and call it something. Even if you end up calling it a “middle grade adventure with supernatural elements,” then you’re at least calling it something. Writers really get into a pickle when they start their pitch with something like, “It’s a sci-fi western humorous fantastical suspense romance, set in steampunk Britain … with erotic werewolf transvestite protagonists.” Fundamentally, it must be something, so pick its core genre and just call it that — otherwise your query might not even get read. I’m not a huge fan of writers comparing their work to other projects (saying “It’s X meets Z” — that type of thing), but said strategy — comparing your book to others in the marketplace — is most useful for those authors who have a hard time describing the plot and tone of their tale.

4. How many query rejections would necessitate a major overhaul of the query?

Submit no more than 10 queries to start. If only 0-1 respond with requests for more, then you’ve got a problem. Go back to the drawing board and overhaul the query before the next wave of 6-10 submissions.

5. Can your query be more than one page long?

The rise of e-queries removed the dreaded page break, so now it’s easy to have your query go over one page. But just because that’s so doesn’t mean it’s a wise move. My answer to the question is that while going a few sentences over one page is likely harmless, you really don’t need a query that trends long. Lengthy letters are a sign of a poor, rambling pitch that will probably get you rejected. So edit and trim your pitch down as need be. Get some beta readers or a freelance query editor to give you ideas and notes. Remember that a succinct letter is preferred, and oftentimes more effective. The exception to my answer is concerning queries for nonfiction books. Nonfiction queries have to be heavy on author platform, and those notes (with proper names of publications and organizations and websites, etc.) can get very long very fast. So if you have to list out lots of platform and marketing notes, feel free to go several sentences over one page — just as long as the pitch itself is not the item making your letter too long.

6. Even if an agent doesn’t request it, should you include a few sample pages with your query letter?

It’s probably harmless. But if you’re going to do this, first of all, remember to paste the pages below the query letter and not attach them in a document. Second of all, don’t include much — perhaps 1-5 pages. (My advised length refers to double-spaced pages, even if the pages do not paste into the e-mail in perfect double-spaced formatting.) Having made both those points, I’m guessing that many people ask this question because they have a lot more faith in their opening pages than in their query. I get it; they’re different beasts, and you’re trying to up your chances and protect yourself a bit. But keep in mind that while including sample pages may perhaps help here and there with an occasional agent who checks out your writing, it doesn’t solve the major problem of your query being substandard. My advice is to keep working on the query until you have faith in it, regardless of whether you sneak in unsolicited pages or not.

7. How do you follow up with an agent who hasn’t responded to your submission?

This is a complicated question, and I’ll try to address its many parts.

First of all, check the agency website for updates and their latest formal guidelines. They might have gone on leave. They might have switched agencies. And most likely, they may have submission guidelines that state how they only respond to submissions if interested. (You see this a lot with a line such as, “If you don’t hear from us in 8 weeks, it means we are regretfully not interested in your project.”) So keep in mind there might be a very good reason as to why you shouldn’t follow up or rather why you shouldn’t follow up right now.

That aside, let’s say an agent claims they respond to submissions “within 3 months” and it’s been 3 and a half months with no reply. A few weeks have passed since the “deadline” so now it’s time to nicely follow up. All you do is paste your original query into a new e-mail and send it to the agent with a note above the query that says “Dear [agent], I sent my query below to you [length of time] ago and haven’t heard anything. I’m afraid my original note got lost in a spam filter, so I am pasting it below in the hopes that you are still reviewing queries and open to new clients. Thank you for considering my submission! Sincerely, [name].” That’s it. Be polite and simply resubmit. By the way, if an agent makes it sound like they do indeed respond to submissions but they don’t have a time frame for their reply, I say follow up after 3 months.

But before you send that precious follow up, make darn sure you are not to blame for getting no reply. Perhaps your previous e-mail had an attachment when the agent warned “No attachments.” Perhaps your previous email did not put “Query” in the subject line even though the agent requested just that. Or perhaps your previous email misspelled the agent’s e-mail address and the query truly got lost in cyberspace. In other words, double-check everything. And if you send that follow up perfectly and the agent still doesn’t reply…? Then forget ’em! Move on.

8. If you’re pitching a novel, should the topics of marketing and writer platform be addressed in the query?

Concerning query letters for novels, the pitch is what’s paramount; any mention of marketing or platform is just gravy. If you have some promotional cred, such skills will definitely be beneficial in the long run as they will help you sell more books when your title is released. But on that note, a decent platform will not get a mediocre novel published. So feel free to list worthwhile, impressive notes about platform and marketing skills you possess, just don’t let your accomplishments in those areas cloud the fact that the 3 most crucial elements to a book selling are the writing, the writing, the writing.

9. Is it better to send a query over snail mail or e-mail?

If you have a choice, I don’t see any logic in sending a snail mail query. They’re more of a hassle to physically produce, and they cost money to send. 90 percent or more of queries are sent over e-mail for two very good reasons: E-mail is 1) quicker, in terms of sending submissions and agents’ response time, and 2) it’s free. Keep in mind that almost all agents have personal, detailed submission guidelines in which they say exactly what they want to receive in a submission and how they want to receive it. So almost always, you will not have a choice in how to send materials. Just send what they ask for, how they asked for it.

10. If you’re writing a memoir, do you pitch it like a fiction book (complete the whole manuscript) or like a nonfiction book (a complete book proposal with a few sample chapters)?

I’d say 80 percent of agents review memoir like they would a novel. If interested, they ask for the full book and consider it mostly on how well it’s written. I have met several agents, however, who want to see a nonfiction book proposal — either with some sample chapters, or sometimes in addition to the whole book. So to answer the question, you can choose to write only the manuscript, and go from there. Or you can choose to complete a proposal, as well, so you have as many weapons as possible as you move forward. (In my opinion, a writer who has both a complete memoir manuscript and nonfiction book proposal seems like a professional who is ahead of the curve and wise to platform matters — and, naturally, people in publishing are often attracted to writers who are ahead of the curve and/or can help sell more books. Just something to keep in mind. By the way, look over my growing list of memoir literary agents.)

GIVEAWAY: I am very excited to again give away a copy of my newest book, CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM. It’s a book all about how to build your visibility, brand, network and discoverability so you can better market yourself and your books. I’m giving away 1 copy to a random commenter based in the U.S. or Canada; comment within one week to win. Good luck! (Update: CJ Keats won.)

Comments

I think the biggest frustration of some writers is that writing a query and writing a novel are two totally different forms of writing. One is essentially a business proposal, while the other is an entertainment form. One stresses brevity, while that’s not necessarily true in the other.

Lots of people can write great queries and stink at writing a book(as evidenced by the number of submissions that are ultimately rejected). However, little is known about the reverse – an author that can write a great novel but might stink at the one page pitch/synopsis.

Thanks for this, because I am in query Purgatory right now. I have had no requests for material, just some rejections and non-responses. I thought my query was the best it could be, but perhaps I am wrong. One good thing about this, I suppose, is always having the opportunity to go back and make changes… hard as it is.

Thanks for your tips, especially how many queries to send at first and how to follow up after no response. It seems like more and more agents are so overwhelmed with queries, they warn that they will not respond at all unless they’re interested. At least some of them have an auto-response to let you know they at least received the query, so you’re not left wondering if the email even made it through.

I would really like to win that book, but I would also like to ask a question about writers’ conferences. Is the real value the opportunity to get 30 seconds with an agent? Is it a chance to get told everything you already know about self-publishing 9or is there some secret that the pros hold close to the vest that only gets revealed when you pay your several hundred dollars to get in? And should an indie publisher (which I am beginning work for tomorrow as an associate editor) show up, would they (we) be able to do any meaningful biz at such an event?

A conference is just what you make it. You can easily make friends, meet agents & editors, or just sit back and absorb tons of info. It’s everything coming together. You must have a goal in mind when attending one (e.g., pitch, learn, etc.) and make sure that goal gets met. See my WU post here about what you need to know before attending a conference:

Very interesting and useful advice. I had also heard about agents not liking series, but I recently attended a workshop with literary agents and they were all quite keen on series. What they said they absolutely did NOT like in query letters is the claim: ‘This book has movie potential and is like Harry Potter meets The Great Gatsby’ (or whatever, I’m making this up). As they said: ‘That is the agent’s job, to find those affinities and sell the work.

Thanks Chuck for the good advice. I read the first questions about the querying, and then I read the second part of the querying questions. I bookmarked the first set and I will definitely bookmark this article. What you say definitely makes since. Let the book speak for itself and let the query letter pitch the book. I am nowhere near the querying stage but when I am I will refer back to these questions for references.

I’m inclined to think that for writers, one of the most stress-inducing things in life is writing query letters, ranking right up there with public speaking and sky-diving. ;) Thanks again, Chuck, for the helpful tips on how to approach it!

Boy, oh boy, after reading everyone’s comments that they wish they had these gems when they started querying, I am even more grateful! I am finishing up a project now and will begin querying. Thank you Thank you :)

Ugh! I hate writing queries. Novels are much more fun… Judging by the number of rejections of totally awesome (tongue in cheek) books, I realize the problem is in the query letter. Thanks for your tips. You have inspired me to go back to the drawing board.

I’m in the querying phase — again. I have overhauled my query a couple of times due to low to zero interest from lit agents. I find queries difficult to write because I’m not great at ‘selling’ myself or my book. I can write short, punchy sentences. I can get the main plot across in a brief paragraph. But to talk about why a particular agent would want to represent me? That’s tough.

I talked about this question in my first “9 Query FAQ” post. I personally like queries that start with a quick intro of your work (the details — word count, title, genre). But you can indeed start with the pitch. Either is acceptable; it’s all about your personal preference.

Thanks, this answered some questions I’ve had about querying. Another question I’ve wondered about is, if rejected, how do you know if the problem is with the query letter itself or with the sample work (assuming guidelines requested it).

I can really appreciate your advice to call the book “something” even if it doesn’t fall neatly in the common genres. I think it’s problematic if a writer cannot describe their work in terms of the marketplace because it can mean that they have not done the homework that goes into researching prospective markets.

I love this: “This book could either be a standalone project or the start of a series.” That is exactly what I need for my query. I was wondering how to handle this I have a potential 10-book series for a non-fiction book I’m proposing and couldn’t figure out how to handle it in the pitch!

Thanks for the advice, especially about whether to mention that the ms. could be the start of a series. I’m hopefully finishing one of those myself.

It is very frustrating to slave over a query letter and not get a response of any kind. I’d much rather get a “No,” and even a rude “No,” rather than nothing at all. Worst yet is an agent who trails you along, and you re-submit again and again as per the requests, and then you get nothing back at all because (s)he just didn’t want to say “No.” I can’t think of a reason why an agent wouldn’t respond at all, even if it’s been many months, unless the writer has done something–like submitting an attachment when the guidelines say not to–that maybe the agent is wary to deal with. Otherwise, not responding seems unprofessional to me, even though I know they’re extremely overwhelmed.

I am indie-publishing my 2nd book, and I am very interested in your book about creating a writer platform. I am an ordained minister who is currently establishing a speaking ministry, but need assistance in gaining more exposure. I think your book would give much needed direction. Thank you for your consideration.

I’m very, very, very new at this and feel immensely grateful to have stumbled upon your site in general and this post in particular. (Because when it comes time, I won’t have a clue about query letters otherwise.)

I keep saving your articles that show up in my Twitter feed so I can catch up on them with Instapaper, so finally I’ve just subscribed and also added you to my blogroll so all my writer friends can have an opportunity to do the same.

Thanks for not only this post but everything you put out there. It really is very helpful.

The advice is great, Chuck. I was particularly curious about self-publishing and appreciated the numbers definining “success.” It seems that everywhere I turn, someone is urging me to self publish, and I see the draw in it, I really do. Knowing what defines success to an agent is helpful when talking to writers who do self-publish and have “almost a thousand copies” sold.

I have been extremely lucky to have attained a New York based agent for my first novel which is now being presented to publishers. It took about 5 edits of my query letter to ‘catch my fish’, and the polished end result was due to, in large part, fantastic people such as yourself who share advise and experiences. I am more than happy to share my successful Query letter if you would like- just not sure if this is the right forum to do so! Let me know!

Excellent article. I am on day 54 of an 8-week query window (sadly, with no response yet), so just about to send out the next round of queries. I particularly loved your genre description of “middle grade adventure with supernatural elements,” which exactly describes my current WIP. I will have to keep that phrase in mind for when it is ready to query.

As always Chuck, your timely advice is both prescient and welcomed. As I have been going through the submission process the past few months – receiving several partial and full requests along with my fair share of NO THANK YOU’S – it’s great to get unasked questions answered as the process itself is both intimidating and often discouraging for first time authors seeking representation and eventual publishing success. Here’s another question for when you revist this always welcomed topic:

Is it okay to continue sending out queries to agents even though you’re still awaiting the outcome from agents who have asked for the full manuscript – a review process that can take three or four months?

Thx for your timely input. My novel and children’s books have been pro edited and beta read and I will be seeking an agent in short order. Your new book is perfectly timed for me. It is on my purchase list. Thank you!

I’m in query purgatory with my YA novel right now, too, even as I write the sequel. Could it be killing me that my character meets the character in someone else’s novel and I don’t have explicit buy-in from the other, established author? My readers are raving about the book, and the query reads very smoothly, BUT, the big Zip- Zero-Nada!

I really appreciate the helpful insights in both query letter FAQs. In this article, I was particularly interested in the series (#1) and genre (#3) answers.

While I appreciate that the author may not have a say over final book titles, I was curious whether your recommendation in the series question would also include the name of the series and/or the names of the other books.

Regarding the genre answer, an editor in a conference pitch session once asked me for the percentages of each of the two genres that form my novel. While I was able to provide them, I wonder if I should include those percentages in a query letter.

I look forward to your response. If any other commentators have suggestions, I’m open to hearing them, too.

Thank you for the post! I’m in query-letter-learning mode and appreciate any and all advice out there. Is there any specific advice for pitching a tie-in novel? Obviously, the query only goes to the publisher with the rights to the franchise, but are there other unusual tricks of that particular trade? My biggest concern is about platform specifically – do you mention having a platform in the specific fandom you’d be writing for? Or will that make you look like a “mere” fan and turn off the editor? It seems like having a fan platform would be an asset to selling a book eventually, but I am extremely wary of a “fan fiction” label that would get a serious submission circle-filed ;-)

I wrote my first query letter a few months ago. I regret I didn’t come across the previous post on this topic. Both articles are now saved to my computer for future reference. I’ll also share the information with my writer’s group. Thank you for addressing so many common questions on the subject.

Thank you for your insight. I have been writing my last chapter for the last 3 months in effort to avoid the query letter! I love writing and I can lose myself for hours creating, but when I started thinking about query letters, I froze and have taken my time finishing.

Great posting, but I swallowed hard when I saw your suggestion that if one’s e-book doesn’t garner 20,000 readers, don’t bother mentioning it! I just published my first e-book and that number seems as remote as the peak of Everest.

I just taught at the San Francisco Writers Conference and the number being tossed around by literary agent as “impressive” was 50,000 e-books (sold at $2.99). I myself think that number high. But the fact is: Since e-books are $0.99-2.99 and bought so easily, the number that needs to be sold to attract attention has skyrockted. Le sigh…

Query letters are incredibly frustrating, but this advice is so helpful! I didn’t even make it halfway to 10 rejections before I called in professional help in my query letter; I knew there were issues but really needed help seeing what I could cut out. I haven’t finished revising it yet, but I already say it was money well spent!

Great post with lots of great advice. Sorry I missed it earlier. One question I’m wondering about is if you start getting requests for partials or fulls, how many queries should you start sending out in batches. More than 5 to 10?

Thanks for buying my book, Natalie. To answer your question, I would say that if you start getting lots of requests for partials and fulls, your query frequency won’t matter much because you will likely get an offer soon enough. If many agents start circling a project and smelling blood, it won’t be long before one bites.

Yes, I too am in ‘Query Hell! I write everything from children’s books to screenplays and finding an agent to take all of it is almost impossible! And, building a platform is something that I did not learn in college and, on top of that, it is a full time job. I really appreciate all of the blood, sweat, and ink that you contribute to the writer’s dream!

Yup, queries are hard. And now some agencies’ submission guidelines are asking for a synopsis and a tag line, too. I hate writing the synopsis even more than writing a query. Thanks for your excellent advice.

There’s a lot more to selling a book than the writing. The three most crucial elements are the story, the writing and the marketing. You mislead authors by telling them it’s all about the writing. Look at Harry Potter. While it improved over time, clearly the writing didn’t cause that series to sell.

Great timing, Chuck! Thanks. I am coming to the finish of a novel with a character that I am realizing might fit into the framework of a series. Meaning I like him a lot, at least, whether anyone else will is debatable! Anyway, it is good to know agents aren’t always set in their ways …

Helpful guidelines…spot-on advice! Thanks again, Chuck, for a great post that takes some of the anxiety out of the process.

One problem seems to be that different agents want different elements to be present in a query letter…but your article gives us important info that will assist in writing a query letter to any agent.:)

It’s extremely frustrating that some agents have weird quirks about what they want to see. All you can do is write a damn good query and make tiny tweaks to individual submissions when you see an agent mention something online.

For example, I once heard an agent say that the agents at her agency liked to know (in the query) how the book ends. This is traditionally a big no-no to include in the letter.

I’m random! :) Question: I’m an artist and a writer (working on graphic novels now) and my sister is an artist and photographer who has an amazing idea for a nonfiction children’s picture book, based on her own experience as a wildlife rehabber. Of course she already has a fantastic collection of fair-winning photos of her rescues. She’s asking me how she can get it “printed up” as a hardcover, but I think she should pursue publication first. Advice and guidelines seem to run a bit thin on how to submit a picture book from the photographer’s perspective. Everything I read seems to be “Send the manuscript without illustrations because we hire our own illustrators.” She is the illustrator, it’s her idea, and I highly doubt a publisher is going to find a better photographer for this particular subject. Where do I even begin with helping her query this project?

Appreciate these specific and thorough insights. Queries are so much like a blind date, and it seems like awkwardness abounds. This knowledge increases the chances of love at first sight. Thanks, Mr. Sambuchino.

Thank you very much. This topic represents a whole other side to writing that I never really considered when the door is closed and I am focused on my own projects. One or two years worth of time and effort can be decided by one page that best represents me as a writer and a person. It is scary, but also thrilling at the same time.

Wonderful advice! I especially appreciated Number 4 and the idea of sending out queries in waves of 6-10. I’ve been sending out my queries that way, but kept thinking I was doing something wrong–that I should be sending out masses at a time. Now I feel so much better! Thanks, Chuck!

Thanks for the helpful information. I have another question concerning submitting to an acqusitions editor. I submitted an article to a magazine with a normal response time of three months. After three months passed, I followed up with an email. They were still interested in the article but had not made a decision. Three more months have passed. I have inquired if I should consider this a rejection, but no response. How long should I leave my article with a publication for consideration before withdrawing it and submitting it elsewhere?

As of now right now, just consider it a no and send it elsewhere. But DO follow-up again with them. (Just do not think they will reply fast or at all. At some point, you can HOPE they will reply but not bet on it…)

Thank you for the additional pointers. I’ve been in business for 16 years and have always found writing a ‘marketing’ letter to be challenging. The query letter process is even more so because it is more personal. I keep thinking that if I cannot convey the message well, how can the book ever sell? And that’s what keeps me going back to the drawing board.

Thank you for the posting. However, you may want to edit the last sentence of this paragraph; ” and instead just pitch one book and let any discussion naturally progress to the topic of more books, if they agent so inquires. ” if they agent so inquiries does not read grammatically well. Just a suggestion.

I do always make the effort in my opening paragraph to say how I think my book will fit in with what each agent is already representing, which takes a little extra time to read each individual agent’s preferences before writing, but I think it’s very important to not send the same cookie-cutter letter to every agent.

That being said, I am up to 8 queries on the current title I’m pitching, so I think it’s time to revise the rest of the letter, too (sigh).

I did find a really great resource for agents: AgentQuery.com. You can search by genre and keywords, so you don’t need to look through everybody, and it includes that all-important link to an agent’s homepage for quick access to guidelines.

Thanks so much for Part 2 of this difficult subject, Chuck. Although I have amassed a lot of information on effective queries, I think a big part of my need has been that psychological reassurance. I got that from your advice. I love that you are up to date on agents’ wants and that you give specifics.

At a workshop a friend of mine attended recently she said it was mentioned over and over that an agent wants to see someone who has a following of some kind already. The bigger the better as then they think it would be easier to market to. Do you think this is important?

What an excellent collection of questions and wisdom. Many of these I had seen answered on Twitter through #askagent chats, but the expanded answers here, and all in one place, are wonderful. Thank you for the excellent guidance.